Royal Mail has confirmed the last recommended posting dates for Christmas cards, letters and parcels to arrive in time for the big day. The company will add extra deliveries up to 8pm to meet increased demand in the run-up to Christmas and the growing number of next-day parcels.
There will also be an increase in processing operations on Sundays to help manage the surge on Mondays following people shopping online at weekends.
Last posting dates for Christmas deliveries 2026
- Second Class mail: Friday December 18.
- First Class mail: Monday December 21.
- Royal Mail Tracked 48: Saturday December 19.
- Royal Mail Tracked 24: Monday December 21.
- Special Delivery Guaranteed: Wednesday December 23.
To ensure Christmas gifts and cards arrive safely, customers are reminded to write the full address clearly on the item of mail and always include the full postcode. The correct amount of postage should also be applied to avoid any delays or extra charges for the recipient.
Seasonal staffing and performance
Jamie Stephenson, Chief Operating Officer at Royal Mail, said: "Every year we pull out all the stops to deliver Christmas for our customers. This year, we’ve hired 22,000 seasonal workers to strengthen our operation during our busiest time of year."
He added: "We're going into Christmas with service improving and we’re focused on building on that progress. We prepare for Christmas all year round to help ensure we deliver the best possible service for customers and businesses across the UK."
As Royal Mail enters its busiest period of the year, the group continues to fall short of targets for on-time deliveries. Prime Minister Andy Burnham last week told Royal Mail to improve its performance and warned the government would take "further measures" after repeatedly missing delivery targets.
Reforms delayed until after Christmas
Royal Mail is in the process of rolling out reforms in a bid to improve its postal service. These will result in second-class post only being delivered on alternate weekdays and Saturday second-class deliveries scrapped.
Royal Mail has this week revealed it will halt the full rollout of its second-class post overhaul until after Christmas. The group said it had agreed with the postal workers' union to delay expanding the reforms to the remaining 107 delivery offices until January to allow staff to focus on the peak festive season.
